Maths can be fun. That was the message St Patrick’s Technical College students heard on Monday from Australian of the Year – Local Hero Eddie Woo.
Mr Woo, who is a maths teacher from Sydney, has come to national attention with his WooTube channel which provides high-energy, easy-to-follow lessons for students as well as offering resources for teachers.
StPatsTech students from the College’s Year 11 Electrotechnology and Information Technology classes attended a special schools presentation by Mr Woo at Golden Grove High School thanks to funding from the Advanced Technology Project.
STEM teacher Bradley Sheridan said Mr Woo shared with students some of his background as migrant from Malaysia and why he had chosen a career as a maths teacher.
“He spoke about some of the key people in history in mathematics as well as trying to break some of the common stereotypes of mathematicians that some may have,” Mr Sheridan said.
Throughout his presentation, Eddie would pause and test the audience with a brain teaser or a mathematics problem. He finished with some questions and answers at the end.
“One of Eddie’s major points was that mathematics is about ‘play, teamwork’ and that is a ‘story’. The students really enjoyed Eddie’s presentation and felt a deeper appreciation for mathematics and where it is used in our world,’’ Mr Sheridan said.
Mr Sheridan thanked Year 11 Coordinator Nicola Swiderski for her help on the day.
Pictured: Hamish, Conor and Tyler with Eddie Woo.